Yesterday we had the first activities of our gameweek. Students were really motivated, engaged and active during the whole day. Not even a fire drill changed their mood. Everything worked out well but I think we need more time to finish these cool things that we have started. The activities will continue during this week and maybe some parts of next week as well. For example, the game design and character design activities did actually take more time that I first thought they would. However, time is on my side, don’t worry!

I did some observation and asking around about games and playing when students were doing their own things and here are my results:

No one played alone. Students see playing as a social activity. They only play alone when they have to pass the time for example on a bus.

Range of games being played was huge! There were no certain game category that would be somehow more popular than the other.

Board games are still being played and considered to be fun and interesting. Students said that it’s not about the platform but the game. If the game is good they want to play it no matter if it’s digital or analog.

The existing social relationships go out the window when there is games and playing involved in the classroom concept. And by this I mean that you can play with anyone who is up to it, not just your best friend.

And to wrap it up here are some photos of my students in action:

Game character creation in progress.

Every game the students played were being carefully reviewed by the players.

Game design in progress

Board games haven’t lost their cool. Vice versa!

These girls made their own Kahoot! Quiz and held a tournament.

So we will definitely continue these activities for the rest of the week. Hopefully next time there is even more amazing stuff to share with you. Until then!